Stretchable underwire casing for breast pockets

Abstract

A foundation garment having stretchable breast cups, stretchable frame and an underwire casing adapted to conform to the contour of the bottom of the wearer's breasts, which casing is comprised of stretchable fabric. Zig-zag stitching forms the stretchable fabric into an underwire casing and secures the casing to the stretchable cup and frame. The underwire is confined in the casing and sized to occupy essentially the entire length of the casing to thereby provide an underwire garment with stretchability in the underbust area.

I claim: 
     
       1. A foundation garment comprised of: (a) breast pockets formed of stretchable elastic material;   (b) an underwire casing formed of stretchable elastic material;   (c) a stretchable elastic frame member adjacent the underwire casing;   (d) zig-zag stitching securing the casing to the breast pockets and stretchable frame member; and   (e) an underwire slidably arranged within the underwire casing.   
     
     
       2. A foundation garment as in claim 1 wherein the underwire casing conforms to the contour of the bottom of the breast of the wearer of the garment and terminates at both ends at the top of the garment. 
     
     
       3. A foundation garment as in claim 1 further comprising enlarged end members on each end of the underwire. 
     
     
       4. A foundation garment as in claim 1 wherein the casing stretchable material is 64 gauge. 
     
     
       5. A foundation garment as in claim 1 wherein the underwire is 0.075 gauge plastic. 
     
     
       6. A foundation garment as in claim 1 wherein the underwire is of essentially the same length as the length of the stretchable casing. 
     
     
       7. A foundation garment as in claim 1 wherein the stretchable cup material and stretchable frame material is 64 gauge material. 
     
     
       8. A foundation garment as in claim 8 wherein the stretchable cup material and stretchable frame material is formed of 140 denier LYCRA and 40 denier ANTRON III BRIGHT NYLON. 
     
     
       9. A foundation garment as in claim 4 wherein the casing material is 210 denier LYCRA and NYLON. 
     
     
       10. A foundation garment as in claim 1 further comprising a liner of stretchable material within the casing which liner partially surrounds the underwire. 
     
     
       11. A foundation garment as in claim 10 wherein the liner material is 210 denier LYCRA and NYLON and the zig-zag stitching passes through the liner. 
     
     
       12. In a foundation garment having breast pockets and an underwire conforming to the contour of each of the breast pockets, the improvement comprising a casing for the underwire having internally folded edges and zig-zag stitching passing through the brassiere cup of the foundation garment, the frame of the foundation garment and each of the folded internal edges of the casing to secure the casing to the brassiere cup and frame.